Why California motorcyclists are being urged to brush up on their skills

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Motorcycle riders going through drills in the parking lot as part of the Ride Rite motorcycle training course at Crossroads Christian Church in Corona on Friday, May 5, 2017. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Instructor Kristy Moore, right, gives out safe riding skill maneuvers instructions to riders as part of the Ride Rite motorcycle training course at in the parking lot of Crossroads Christian Church in Corona on Friday, May 5, 2017. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Instructor Kristy Moore, right, gives out safe riding skill maneuvers instructions to a rider as part of the Ride Rite motorcycle training course at in the parking lot of Crossroads Christian Church in Corona on Friday, May 5, 2017. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Instructor Bob Wright, center, gives out safe riding skill maneuvers instructions to riders as part of the Ride Rite motorcycle training course at in the parking lot of Crossroads Christian Church in Corona on Friday, May 5, 2017. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Motorcycle riders going through drills in the parking lot as part of the Ride Rite motorcycle training course at Crossroads Christian Church in Corona on Friday, May 5, 2017. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Motorcycle riders going through drills in the parking lot as part of the Ride Rite motorcycle training course at Crossroads Christian Church in Corona on Friday, May 5, 2017. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Instructor Kristy Moore, right, gives out safe riding skill maneuvers instructions to riders as part of the Ride Rite motorcycle training course at in the parking lot of Crossroads Christian Church in Corona on Friday, May 5, 2017. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

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Derry, 31, of Corona, has been riding street bikes and quads for 15 years, but he’s not taking his well-being for granted. So this month — May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month in California — Derry did what officials say too few riders do: took a refresher course.

Recreational riders would seem to have a particular need for a brush-up. National statistics show that a fatal motorcycle crash is most likely to occur in the late afternoon to mid-evening, which police and instructors theorize is because that’s when sometimes-riders are more likely to be on the road after breaking free from the workday.

“A lot of times, that less experience and less training increases the chance of a collision,” California Highway Patrol Sgt. Larry Starkey said.

Starkey is the coordinator of the California Motorcyclist Safety Program. The CHP oversees the program, which contracts with motorcycle training providers such as Derry’s instructors at Ride Rite.

The CHP-approved curriculum teaches the basics of riding, equipment and safety to beginners in six hours of classroom instruction and 10 hours of riding. Those who complete the course receive a certificate that allows them to skip the DMV driving test.

As part of safety month, advanced riders can sign up for a four-hour refresher that teaches throttle control, swerving to avoid objects, sudden stopping and other topics.

This month’s public safety campaign isn’t only aimed at motorcycle riders, though. Although most motorcyclists crash because of impairment, speeding or missing a curve, Starkey said, there’s a message to vehicle drivers as well: About half the collisions are the fault of drivers of cars and trucks.

“Look twice for motorcyclists. We tell the rider to ride aware and the drivers to drive aware,” Starkey said.

Safety class message: Be aware

Derry, who took the Ride Rite course in Corona, realized he was making small mistakes in riding posture and how he positions his hands and feet. “It was useful,” he said.

Ride Rite instructors Kristy Moore, 42, and Mark Eitapence, 54, offered calm, encouraging reinforcement to the six riders including Derry who were practicing in the parking lot of Crossroads Christian Church on a recent day.

“I see a huge improvement. He’s got control of the bike,” Eitapence observed.

Maldonado, 25, of Corona said he took the Ride Rite class simply to determine whether he’d like to ride a motorcycle. He says driving cars “puts me to sleep.” He found the first day of riding instruction encouraging.

“Awareness is definitely their No. 1 point. They want you to be aware of your surroundings,” Maldonado said.

Deadliest times to ride

That’s often when riders dust off their motorcycle, one that sometimes is too much bike for their skill level, said Ride Rite owner Bekki Davis.

“It’s the only dangerous sport where nobody believes in continuous education,” Davis said. “They take the basic course, you get your license, they go out and they never come back.”

Lt. Kris Klein, who supervises the motorcycle unit for the Long Beach Police Department, said even his officers, who are on their bikes 10 hours a day, get refreshers four times a year.

“No matter how good you are, no matter how long you’ve been riding, routine training is necessary,” Klein said.

‘Ride like you’re invisible’

Many California law enforcement agencies have emphasized motorcycle safety in May in both word and deed, and with good reason.

At least 11 people have died in motorcycle crashes in western Riverside County so far in 2017. There were no common threads. The deaths happened any time of the day. Some occurred when the motorcycle went too fast or a vehicle driver turned in front of the bike. In once case, a driver rear-ended a motorcycle when he said the sun was in his eyes.

Countywide, 37 motorcyclists were killed in 2013, the most recent year for which state Office of Traffic Safety statistics are available. That same year saw 32 motorcycle deaths in San Bernardino County, 105 in Los Angeles County and 30 in Orange County.

“Ride like you’re invisible,” Starkey said. “You may not be at fault (in a collision) but you may wind up dead.”

Vehicle drivers, meanwhile, are being urged to condition themselves to watch for motorcycles when they are turning or pulling out of driveways. Drivers should double check their blind spots — not just their mirrors — drive defensively and not cut off or tailgate motorcycles.

Police across the region have devoted extra patrols to areas where crashes and violations often occur.

Long Beach police cited 37 motorcyclists and 12 drivers during a March crackdown on thoroughfares commonly used by riders.

Lt. Diego Torres, head of the Pasadena Police Department’s traffic unit, also noted that responsibility goes both ways.

“Usually (motorcycles) are so vulnerable out there, they are at the risk of being struck by another vehicle, or if they are being driven recklessly, they become the issue,” Torres said.

California Motorcyclist Safety Program

Riders can sign up for beginner courses at cmsp.msi5.com. Courses are available throughout the state year-round for about $250. A motorcycle will be provided.

Throughout May, in conjunction with Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, refresher courses are available at cmsp.msi5.com for $95. Students provide their own motorcycles.